Re: [TCML] Solid state efficiency, was: mini Tesla coil specs

[Ken or Doris Herrick <kchdlh@xxxxxxxxx>]

Steve Ward writes, "[I] think energy transfer time to the spark is very 
important" for maximizing spark length.  I agree and repeat here an 
opinion I posted a few years ago:  As compared to a solid-state coil, 
the relatively much-higher rate-of-rise of the initial half or whole 
cycle from the abrupt shot of energy thru a spark-gap will allow charge 
to be crammed onto the top electrode before the spark has a chance to 
proceed very far.  A research paper I have a copy of has found spark 
propagation in air, measured over 1 inch of distance, to require about 
50 ns of time.  That extrapolates to about 20 inches of travel per 
microsecond.  So with a high rate of voltage-rise, more charge can be 
applied to the electrode than can bleed off through the spark during its 
first several inches of travel. 

Ken Herrick

[snipped]
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